SHOW ME THE RECORDS: Bird population records available

COLUMBIA — Each week, the Missourian highlights a government record that is available to the public. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.

The records: The Audubon Society of Missouri partnered with the Department of Conservation and Department of Natural Resources to create the CACHE system, which provides valuable information about state bird sightings and populations for use by interested members of the public and the government, as they plan for good stewardship of public lands. Records include annual and seasonal reports of bird sightings and populations, as well as documentation forms for rare bird reports and records of rare sightings sorted by year. Information is sorted by time and location.

Why you'd want them: To know what kinds of wildlife occur naturally in Columbia's natural areas. To know what kinds of wildlife might be affected when certain areas are targeted for development.